Kepong residents express worry over roads built on rubbish dump

KUALA LUMPUR: The 1,100-odd residents of Kampung Melayu, Malaysian Forest Research Institute in Kepong here are worried about a dump site being used as the foundation for several roads in the area.

The residents of the village, which is located about 20 kilometers from the federal capital, claimed that the project site near them had been filled with rubbish since it began in February this year.

The project, which was previously delayed, would provide an alternative route for them to travel to the nearby highways.

Ismail Abdul Hashim, 76, who lives opposite the project site, claimed that the contractor had resorted to dumping rubbish to cut costs and did not abide by the original plans of filling the land with earth and rocks.

"Previously, I heard that the developer had said they will use rocks and soil to fill up the ravine which is more than 15 metres deep, but that is not the case after the project started.

"The first two weeks after the project began, more rubbish was being dumped in front of my house. It is all very dirty and dangerous," the army retiree told Bernama when met recently.

Ismail, who has lived in the area for 50 years, said he hoped the responsible parties would take immediate action to ensure the residents' safety.

An observation of the area conducted by Bernama since last month found that each day, rubbish truck would arrive and dumped construction wastes, old furnitures, used tyres and domestic waste.

The rubbish dumped there is now waist-high. So far, Bernama has not been able to get any clarification from the contractor at the project site who has denied the claims.

Another resident, Siti Zubaidah Abdul Rahim, 56, who has lived there since 2005, almost 100 lorries enter the site each day.

She said the problem should not be allowed to continue as it affected the residents' lives and health.

"The rubbish has led to many flies here, our food has to be well-covered. I am also worried that besides the presence of flies, rats and cockroaches, there might be other animals like snakes.

"Even worse is the smell of the rubbish every time it rains. I hope the project is completed fast, I do not want to see this view of the rubbish dump," she said.

However, she added, she was grateful to the local authorities for building Jalan 3/1 and 6/1, which would reduce the congestion problem faced by the residents.

Meanwhile, the vice-president of Kampung Melayu FRIM Residents Association (PPKMF) Datuk Md Nor Hashim said the association had also gone to the site and had informed the project owner, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) verbally and in writing.

"We have also placed a reminder notice at the project site which stated that the location is not a rubbish dump site and only earth was allowed to be placed there," he said.

He added that the situation should be resolved soon, as it would not only save time and costs, but if not resolved, it would also affect the safety of road users in the future.

Md Nor also said the association had held a meeting with DBKL and the project contractor on the matter.

"Arising from the meeting, DBKL has said it will issue a new and more detailed scope for land-filling which does not include rubbish and a 'stop work order' was still effective until all the existing rubbish is taken out.

Md Nor said the residents had been waiting for the road project since 2014. -- BERNAMA